Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Ringold | Col. James Parks III, commander, 11th Signal Brigade, Col. Charles Parker, III Corps...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas-- Signaleers from Fort Hood and other installations around the country, celebrated the 155th Signal Regimental Corps birthday June 22-25 here.
Signal Week is a time when soldiers in the Signal Corps reflect on its rich history, look ahead towards future endeavors and engage in activities to build camaraderie and a spirit de corps.
During the first three days, Signal leaders converged on different locations around post, engaging in a series of talks and briefings.
“Signal Week is an opportunity for signaleers from across the regiment to get together and discuss best practices or lessons learned,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice S. Greening, 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade. “It is also an opportunity to learn about the current state and the future of the Signal Corps.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Greening, who has been a Signal Soldier for over 25 years, started his career when there was limited use of computer technology, and has seen how the Signal community has changed with the times.
“The technology has changed tremendously,” Greening said. “Today, everything is IP based, the equipment is much lighter and easier to transport and is consistently interfaced with strategic communications.”
Having the opportunity for different Signal leaders to communicate with one another is always key in the corps ability to adapt and constantly improve.
“Signal leaders across the formation are collaborating [and] are creating opportunities today to set [the] conditions for the future of our Signal Corps,” said Command Sgt. Maj. John S. Ronquillo, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 11th Sig. Bde.
After 23 years, Ronquillo has also seen the advancements the Signal Corps has gone through in respects to its equipment.
“Working with analog equipment at my first duty station to the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) platform currently used by 62nd ESB has enabled battle command on the move,” said Ronquillo.
“Allowing commanders to make decisions faster than ever before.”
During Signal Week, coming together as a community and sharing in the wealth of knowledge different leaders bring to the table is always something signalers looks forward to.
For Col. Charles Parker, III Corps G6, a 22 year Signal leader, this is one of the biggest advantages for the regiment during the week.
“Signal Week is an important opportunity to set aside organizational affiliations and come together as signalers representing a variety of functional areas to share information and grow professionally,” said Parker. “Our collective diversity of experiences and technical specialties remain our greatest strength as an Army branch.”
On the final day of the Signal week celebration, Signal soldiers participated in a regimental run led by Maj. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr, commanding general, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Stefon Watson, command sergeant major, NETCOM.
As soldiers ran down the streets, cadences bellowed through the air as the Signal flag and individual unit’s respective flags waved proudly.
“I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the regimental run,” said Parker. “There is something to be said for having strength in numbers and the opportunity to join in camaraderie with hundreds of other communicators was both empowering and encouraging.”
Looking back on past regimental runs, these events are something that Col. Parker looks forward to and holds in high regards.
“I’m always amazed that doing something as simple as coming together for a unit run can do so much to restore spirit de corps in both our Army and in our regiment,” said Parker. “Knowing that Army signalers of all ranks have joined together in various formations for 155 years to accomplish our nation’s missions is extremely inspirational for me.”
Later on that night, Signal soldiers joined one another to celebrate the regiment’s birthday at the Killeen Civic Center for the Signal Ball.
Morrison was the guest speaker for the evening and had a challenge for the signaleers in attendance.
“My charge to you tonight is in these challenging times, find that opportunity to do what the Signal Corps has always done,” said Morrison. “Embrace change, lead change and drive change.”
With the night and another Signal Corps birthday coming to an end, Morrison wanted to show his appreciation to all that have helped make the regiment a success.
“Thank you so very much for all your service,” said Morrison. “[Thank you] for what you’ve done for our nation in the past and what you will continue to do for our nation in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2015 07:46 |
| Story ID: | 168876 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 276 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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